Ramanathaswamy Jyotirlinga is a temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. Followers of Lord Shiva come to visit the temple as it is said that it is one of the 12 Jyotirlinga where Shiva is worshipped in the form of Jyotirlingam.
Rameshwaram and its surrounding area are special because they are connected to the stories and events related to Lord Rama.
Ramanathaswamy Jyotirlinga Location
Ramanathaswamy Temple is located in Rameshwaram, South India in Tamil Nadu.
According to legends, it is said that Lord Rama constructed the temple called Ram Setu to reach Lanka. Travelers visiting Banaras often visit here.
Rameshwaram is at the tip of India, on Pamban Island, separated by the Pamban Channel. It is a special place like Varanasi where people go on religious journeys.
Explore Ramanathaswamy Jyotirlinga Architecture
The Ramanathaswamy Temple was built in Dravidian style using limestone and granite. The temple showcases beautiful carvings dedicated to gods and goddesses.
These carvings add beauty and detail to the temple’s architecture, enriching its visual attraction and spiritual significance.
The temple has a long pathway supported by huge columns. The pathway leads to the Sethumadhav temple located west of the Ramanathaswamy Temple.
The Rameshwaram Temple has three outer areas called parakarams along with that many small mandapams have small shrines dedicated to other gods and goddesses.
Inside the temple, there are two lingams the Ramalingam and the Vishwalingam and there is a statue of Shiva’s devoted bull ‘Nandi’ It is 12 feet in length and 9 feet tall, grabbing the attention of all who visit the temple.
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The history behind Rameshwaram Temple
According to the legend, when Lord Rama returned from Lanka after defeating Ravana, he wanted to seek forgiveness for the sin of killing a Brahmin (Ravana was a Brahmin by birth). To seek forgiveness, he wanted to worship Lord Shiva.
While waiting for Lord Shiva’s idol to come, Lord Rama and Sita got thirsty on an island.
While waiting on the island of Rameshwaram, when Lord Rama and Sita were thirsty and attempted to drink water from the seashore a sacred voice scolded Lord Rama for not worshiping first.
So, instead of waiting, Rama asked Sita to make a statue of Lord Shiva using beach sand and water.
He prayed sincerely to it. Because of Rama’s true prayers, Lord Shiva emerged as a bright light and forgave Rama.
Lord Shiva chose to stay there forever to bless everyone. They named the unique symbol Ramanathaswamy, meaning ‘Lord of Rama,’ the place became Rameshwaram, where Lord Shiva lives because of Rama’s worship.
Timings to visit Rameshwaram Temple
The temple is open all day. Temple in the morning opens at 5:00 AM till 1:00 PM in the afternoon. The temple reopens at 3:00 PM and closes at 9:00 PM.
Rituals performed at Rameshwaram Temple
Abhishek: Bathing the idol of Shiva with water, milk, curd, honey, and ghee to represent their devotion, seek blessings, and connect with the divine presence of Shiva in their way.
Rudra Abhishek: Rudra Abhishek is even more special it includes chanting the Rudram. The words in Rudram represent Shiva as the one who eliminates bad things and brings about everything good.
Individuals perform Rudra Abhishek with these chants to pursue Shiva’s help and protection from various problems and troubles in life.
Mahapuja: It is a worship ceremony where devotees offer lots of flowers, fruits, sweets, clothing, and ornaments. It’s a combination of offering devotion and seeking religious help for their aspirations and wishes to come true.
Pradkshina: Pradkshina involves walking around the temple in a clockwise direction to show devotion and respect to Shiva. It’s believed that this act helps immerse positive energy and vibrations present in the sacred space of the temple.
How To Reach Ramanathaswamy Jyotirlinga Temple
By Air: The nearest airport is in Madurai, about 175 kilometers away. You can catch a flight to Madurai from major Indian cities, then take a taxi or bus to Rameshwaram.
By Train: Rameshwaram has its train station linked to cities like Chennai, Coimbatore, and Bangalore. You can enjoy a beautiful train ride over the Pamban Bridge from these cities.
By Road: Rameshwaram is well-connected by highways to cities like Madurai, Chennai, and Coimbatore. You can drive or take a bus from these cities, with both state-run and private bus services available regularly.
Places to visit near Ramanathaswamy Jyotirlinga
Jada Thirtham: Jada Tirtham is a special pond located around 3.5 kilometers near Ramanathaswamy Temple. It’s famous among people who follow Hinduism because of a story about Lord Rama from long ago.
After Lord Rama defeated a demon king called Ravana, he wanted to pray to a god named Shiva.
Before doing that, he wanted to clean himself. So, before praying, Lord Rama washed his long, matted hair in the water of Jada Tirtham. This made the pond special and holy.
Five-Faced Hanuman Temple: The Faced Hanuman Temple is nearly 2 km away from Ramanathaswamy Temple.
This temple is important because it’s where Hanuman’s special form was seen for the first time, and that’s why it means a lot to devotees who worship Hanuman.
Also Read- Samod Veer Hanuman Ji Mandir
Water Bird Sanctuary: From October to January, lots of birds Flamingos, and Pelicans fly in from different places.
During these months, the bird sanctuary becomes famous among tourists staying in Rameshwaram. Visitors love to see these birds, particularly the colorful Flamingos and big Pelicans.
Conclusion
Ramanathaswamy Temple is a special place filled with stories about Lord Shiva and Lord Rama in Rameshwaram.
It has beautiful buildings and special ceremonies like Abhishek. Nearby, you can also visit places like Jada Thirtham and Five-Faced Hanuman Temple. Visiting Ramanathaswamy Temple brings peace and a chance to know about its rich history and spiritual importance.
